The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8
“My children, how great things patience works, and prayer with fasting. And if you therefore follow after sobriety and purity in patience and humility of heart, the Lord will dwell among you, because He loves sobriety. And wheresoever the Most High dwells, even though a man fall into envy, or slavery, or slander, the Lord who dwells in him, for his sobriety’s sake not only delivers him from evil, but also exalts and glorifies him, even as me. For in every way the man is guarded, whether in deed, or in word, or in thought.
My brethren know how my father loved me, and I was not exalted in my heart; although I was a child, I had the fear of God in my thoughts. For I knew that all things should pass away, and I kept myself within bounds, and I honoured my brethren; and through fear of them I held my peace when I was sold, and revealed not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was the son of Jacob, a great man and a mighty. Do ye also, therefore, have the fear of God in your works, and honour your brethren. For every one who works the law of the Lord shall be loved by Him.”
Testament of Joseph, Concerning Sobriety 11.10-11 (second century BC). Today’s post is a fitting conclusion to our exploration of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Jewish apocalyptic writings that likely shaped the thinking of first-century Jewish believers in the early church.
The Apostle Peter urges us, when it seems like the end is near and the world is falling apart, to have a sober mind so that we can pray. Likewise the Testament of Joseph–whose life was anything but peaceful at times as he was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned–urges us toward patience, fasting and prayer in order to preserve sobriety and purity.
To be alert is to be prepared for disaster, which will come sooner or later, so that our first response is to run to God in prayer. When we do, the Testament of Joseph reminds us that the Lord will dwell with us. To be sober is to have the right response to such situations: we are prepared.
These are heavy ideas. What is their connection to generosity?
Most of the quotes from the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs (this one included) have spoken to the posture of our hearts. Today, Joseph teaches that to have the fear of God in our works, we must be sober people. Amazing that Joseph could show love to his brothers after the multitude of sins he endured. That was generosity! It’s what flows through sober people.
In these dark days, God help us be alert and of sober mind.